Chad Lehrmann

Chances are, you read that one of three ways. One, you screamed "Life is EDUCATION!!!" and stopped reading. Two, you said "Totally true! " and listed off all the ways you take a break from talking teaching. If you are like me, you took option three- you stopped and realized how much you talk about education with family, friends, students, random people on the street....

A recurring scene in my home is that I go on and on about school, educational culture, and plans for how to further my educational and teaching journey and my wife listens patiently (usually), then reminds me there is more to life than just education.

She's a teacher, too, and she has often caught on that I get lost in my calling. I think about how to improve my craft and how to innovate all the time, but often forget that there is, in fact, more to life than education.

So, I am issuing a challenge. This summer, take pictures and share experiences via social media with the hashtag #morethanedu. I am not saying stop posting edu topics or even stop thinking about and reflecting on your craft- but make sure to take the time to recognize that there is more than educational theory and creation. Take a hike, ride a bike, go swimming with the family, start a new hobby- and share it with your fellow educational bloggers and on Twitter and Instagram.

More importantly, do not neglect the actual people in your life that you care about.

I am issuing this challenge because my wife called me out. But I am also issuing this challenge because I believe a well-rounded life makes us better educators because we see more than textbooks and classroom design and pedagogy. It helps us find relevance and relationship with the world around us.

It keeps us grounded.

And if you return next fall with more energy and excitement- thank #morethanedu.

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Author

I teach Psychology, Sociology, World History Honors and Debate at College Station High School, as well as coach the debate team, sponsor the TED Ed Club, and I am the Lead Innovator for LEADS CSISD (A student leadership empowerment program for 5th-8th graders). I am an aspiring administrator.